Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says the Government pays out $1.1billion in civil servants salaries annually.

He revealed this during a budget consultation with school teachers and students on Sunday evening in Levuka.

The consultation was an opportunity for teachers and students to discuss issues on the island with the Mr Sayed-Khaiyum and the Minister for Education Premila Kumar.

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said for any economy to grow, money needed to be pumped into the system.

He added that there was no justification on why civil servants needed to get a pay cut.

“One of the reasons why we did not give civil servants a pay cut was because you can see all the nurses and the doctors were working really hard. How could we justify giving them a pay cut.

“The Military, the Police, Corrections, some teachers were actually helping out in the process too,” he said.

He told the teachers that they were the largest ministry in the Government with the largest number of employees.

He added that the Government needed civil servants to continue to do the work that they did and not give them a pay cut.

“I know some of you have not taught for about seven eight months but despite that you still have been paid full pay.

“People in the private sector have not had that luxury that you’ve had. So I hope to some extent that is appreciated. So even though you may not get the family care leave go up by another day, you’re still getting full pay.”

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